Simon Louisson, a Wellington journalist who briefly was a political and media adviser to the Green Party, has been prompted by the arrest of Prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office to press for overhauling our constitutional arrangements.
In a letter to the editor of The Post today, he has expressed an opinion that will be shared by many:
It is time we chose our own head of state and completed our constitutional independence.
Louisson says the arrest should be a tipping point for New Zealand (he prefers to call it Aotearoa).
That our head of state is determined by birthright is a stain on a modern democracy and a lingering symbol of colonial subservience.
The royal family represents the apex of a hereditary class system that sits uneasily with Aotearoa’s egalitarian values. We can respect history without being bound by it.
Then comes the challenge of what constitutional arrangement we should adopt.
Louisson insists that transitioning to a republic need not be radical.
The role could simply pass to a local head of state – appointed by Parliament – exercising the same largely ceremonial and constitutional powers currently held by the Governor-General.
PoO’s dip into media reports suggest the Green Party and Māori Party generally support moving to a republic, while the National Party includes loyalty to the Sovereign in its constitution.
Public support for republicanism in New Zealand at the time of Prince Charles becoming King has been ”limited”, according to The Guardian.
It cited a February 2022 Reid Research poll which asked if New Zealand should break away from the Commonwealth and become a republic when Queen Elizabeth II’s reign ended. Almost half – 48% – said no, they would prefer to remain, and 36.4% yes.
The role of the monarchy in New Zealand is largely symbolic, with little day-to-day involvement. King Charles retains a ceremonial role as head of state and king, represented in New Zealand by a governor general.
But let’s suppose we do what the Americans did 250 years ago and become a Republic with a written constitution and an elected President as our Head of State.
Donald Trump has unabashedly drawn our attention to the possibilities.
According to a report in the New York Times, he views his power to command world affairs as vast — almost unchecked.
He told four White House reporters who visited the Oval Office on Wednesday evening that he, not international law or treaties, would be the arbiter of any limits to his authority. Asked if there were any restraints on his global powers, he answered: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”
As to the constraints imposed by the US Constitution, a year ago he posted on X and TruthSocial his opinion that he is above the law.
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” Trump wrote in the post. Trump did not elaborate and the White House offered no comment, but it later shared the post on its X account alongside Trump’s mug shot from the Fulton County, Georgia, election interference case.
He also posted the quote on his Truth Social platform and shared a user’s post with the quote set against a portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback.
In the first few weeks after assuming office, many of Trump’s actions raised questions of their legality.
His administration, just a few weeks old, then faced numerous lawsuits — and accusations of violating the U.S. Constitution — including for executive orders on freezing foreign aid and Elon Musk’s actions as head of the new Department of Government Efficiency.
His cavalier and erratic use of tariffs – imposing a tax without congressional authority – has been tested in court, too.
The Supreme Court in recent days ruled them illegal.
Meanwhile a banner featuring a photo of Trump and the words “Make America Safe Again” has been hung from the Justice Department’s headquarters in Washington in one of the most public signs of the president’s influence over a department that once brought criminal charges against him.
The department has traditionally operated with a degree of independence from the White House. That separation has eroded during Trump’s second term.
That our head of state is determined by birthright is a stain on a modern democracy and a lingering symbol of colonial subservience.
The royal family represents the apex of a hereditary class system that sits uneasily with Aotearoa’s egalitarian values. We can respect history without being bound by it.
Then comes the challenge of what constitutional arrangement we should adopt.
Louisson insists that transitioning to a republic need not be radical.
The role could simply pass to a local head of state – appointed by Parliament – exercising the same largely ceremonial and constitutional powers currently held by the Governor-General.
PoO’s dip into media reports suggest the Green Party and Māori Party generally support moving to a republic, while the National Party includes loyalty to the Sovereign in its constitution.
Public support for republicanism in New Zealand at the time of Prince Charles becoming King has been ”limited”, according to The Guardian.
It cited a February 2022 Reid Research poll which asked if New Zealand should break away from the Commonwealth and become a republic when Queen Elizabeth II’s reign ended. Almost half – 48% – said no, they would prefer to remain, and 36.4% yes.
The role of the monarchy in New Zealand is largely symbolic, with little day-to-day involvement. King Charles retains a ceremonial role as head of state and king, represented in New Zealand by a governor general.
But let’s suppose we do what the Americans did 250 years ago and become a Republic with a written constitution and an elected President as our Head of State.
Donald Trump has unabashedly drawn our attention to the possibilities.
According to a report in the New York Times, he views his power to command world affairs as vast — almost unchecked.
He told four White House reporters who visited the Oval Office on Wednesday evening that he, not international law or treaties, would be the arbiter of any limits to his authority. Asked if there were any restraints on his global powers, he answered: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.”
As to the constraints imposed by the US Constitution, a year ago he posted on X and TruthSocial his opinion that he is above the law.
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” Trump wrote in the post. Trump did not elaborate and the White House offered no comment, but it later shared the post on its X account alongside Trump’s mug shot from the Fulton County, Georgia, election interference case.
He also posted the quote on his Truth Social platform and shared a user’s post with the quote set against a portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback.
In the first few weeks after assuming office, many of Trump’s actions raised questions of their legality.
His administration, just a few weeks old, then faced numerous lawsuits — and accusations of violating the U.S. Constitution — including for executive orders on freezing foreign aid and Elon Musk’s actions as head of the new Department of Government Efficiency.
His cavalier and erratic use of tariffs – imposing a tax without congressional authority – has been tested in court, too.
The Supreme Court in recent days ruled them illegal.
Meanwhile a banner featuring a photo of Trump and the words “Make America Safe Again” has been hung from the Justice Department’s headquarters in Washington in one of the most public signs of the president’s influence over a department that once brought criminal charges against him.
The department has traditionally operated with a degree of independence from the White House. That separation has eroded during Trump’s second term.
NBC reported:
Since taking office again, the Justice Department has pursued cases against some of Trump’s perceived opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James after Trump publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to bring charges.
It also tried and failed to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged military members to not comply with illegal orders and has launched investigations into others like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee.
The Justice Department banner is described as the latest step in Trump’s efforts toput his stamp on Washington and use its landmarks to exert his influence.
Oh – and then there are the Epstein files.
The Justice Department’s investigation into crimes exposed by the Epstein files has resulted in the conviction only of Ghislaine Maxwell. Critics question why no other co-conspirators have been charged and cited the “chaotic” handling of the release of the Epstein documents release
In contrast, King Charles’ responded to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest by saying there must be a “full, fair and proper” investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” Charles said, adding that the investigation would have “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
Meanwhile, he added, “my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Duty and service to all citizens.
They seem to have different meanings in the US republic and the UK constitutional monarchy these days.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
Since taking office again, the Justice Department has pursued cases against some of Trump’s perceived opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James after Trump publicly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to bring charges.
It also tried and failed to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged military members to not comply with illegal orders and has launched investigations into others like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee.
The Justice Department banner is described as the latest step in Trump’s efforts toput his stamp on Washington and use its landmarks to exert his influence.
Oh – and then there are the Epstein files.
The Justice Department’s investigation into crimes exposed by the Epstein files has resulted in the conviction only of Ghislaine Maxwell. Critics question why no other co-conspirators have been charged and cited the “chaotic” handling of the release of the Epstein documents release
In contrast, King Charles’ responded to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest by saying there must be a “full, fair and proper” investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” Charles said, adding that the investigation would have “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
Meanwhile, he added, “my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Duty and service to all citizens.
They seem to have different meanings in the US republic and the UK constitutional monarchy these days.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
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